Manokwari — Shouts of "Papuan is independent" enlivened a peaceful protest action at the West Papua Provincial House of Representatives (DPRPB) on Thursday November 17.

Thousands of protesters took to the street and marched from Jl. Pahlawan Sanggeng to Jl. Yos Sudarso and then to Jl. Merdeka before eventually conveying their demands on the grounds of the DPRPB.

Action coordinator Drs Abraham Ramar said the protest was held to request attention from both the Indonesian government as well as the international community and to point out that Papua has been independent since the Third Papuan People’s Congress that was held on October 19, which declared the Federation of West Papua and Forkorus Yoboisembut (chair of the Papuan Customary Council, DAP) as president and Edison Waromi (president of the West Papua National Authority) as prime minister.

"This demonstration is calling for support from the international community. Papua has been independent since October 19, 2011 and all that remains now is recognition from other countries as one of the principle requirements for [a new] country. Pacific countries in particular will soon recognise us, also the United States", Ramar told journalists at the end of the protest action.

The protesters gathered at the Papua Traditional Council (DAP) offices then moved off at 10.30am, some on foot and others on motorbikes. Also taking part were a number of public figures such as former Regional Representatives Council (DPD) member Ferdinanda Ibo-Yatipai and church leader Pastor M.L. Wanma.

A number of banners and pamphlets embellished the protest action with messages such as "Stop Dialog, Referendum Yes", "Indonesia must be held liable for gross human rights violations post the October 19 2011 Third Papuan Congress", "We the nation of black-skinned and curly-haired Papuans want to be independent" and the "The Papuan struggle was finalised on October 19, 2011".

The protesters also brought photographs of US President Barack Obama and welcomed his arrival in Bali to attend the ASEAN Summit. "Welcome Barak Obama in Indonesia", read one of the banners. Photographs of Forkorus Yoboisembut and Edison Waromi also adorned the demonstration.

The protesters, who continued to shout "Papua is Independent", were received by DPRPB deputy speaker Robby Nauw along with several other legislators such as Obed Ayok, Efendi Simanjutak and Amelia Simorangkir. Scores of police officers meanwhile watched over the action.

M.L. Wanma (who is also the governor of the West Papua National Authority, WPNA), Markus Yenu (Manokwari WPNA Governor) and Ferdinanda Ibo-Yatipai (who is also the chairperson of Papua Women’s Solidarity) took turns in giving speeches. Wanma said that Papua does not want independence, because it is already independent. He also touched on plans to establish a US marine base of 2,500 personnel in Australia.

Mama Ibo (Ibo-Yatipai) meanwhile focused on the shooting of Papuans by security forces at the Third Papuan People’s Congress in Jayapura.

Ramar said the Papuan people do not need to hold a dialogue with the Indonesian government because all that remains now is recognition of Papua’s independence by other countries.

Ramar also took the opportunity to read out a statement comprising two main pointes: First that that we, the people of the Papuan nation resolve to firmly reject all offers forced on the people of the Papuan nation by the Indonesian government, including increasing special autonomy funds or dialogue. Second, that we the people of the Papuan nation urge the government of the Republic of Indonesia to issue an "acknowledgement" of the Papuan nation’s independence that was declared on October 19.

The statement was then handed over to Robby Nauw and Manokwari regency Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) Commission A Chairperson Yusak Iryo.

The results of the Third Papuan People’s Congress on the profile and attributes of the state were also read out: that it is called the Federation of West Papua, the state symbol is the Mambruk bird (crown pigeon), the state flag is the Morning Star, the national anthem is "Hai Tanah ku Papua" (Oh My Land Papua), the head of state is the president, the head of the government is the prime minister, with a judiciary and legislature, the country will be divided into regions headed by a governor, the currency will be the West Papua Golden, the national languages English, Fidjing and Bislama with an recognition of local dialects, and the territorial boarders cover an area of 160,000 square kilometres from 128 degrees 45 minutes to 141 degrees 48 minutes east longitude and between 1 degree 19 minutes north latitude and 10 degrees 45 minutes south latitude.

Robby Nauw stated that the DPRPB could only accept the protesters’ wishes and convey them to the central government, but does not have the authority to respond to them. "The DPRD cannot not accept [your] aspirations. The House can only forward them to the Indonesian government", said Nauw, adding that the wishes conveyed by the protesters represent and extraordinary struggle.

After continuing for around an hour the peaceful action was closed with a prayer. The protesters then disbanded in an orderly fashion. (lm)

Notes:

The original Java Post article spelt the names Forkorus Yoboisembut and Edison Waromi as Foskorus Yaboisembut and Edison Waramoi.

Halltekamp Bridge to be completed despite suspension February 22, 2018

Halltekamp Bridge to be completed despite suspension The first center span of Halltekamp Bridge is installed on Wednesday, Feb. 21 in Jayapura, West Papua. The bridge is expected to be completed in October this year. The parts of the bridge are arranged in Surabaya and shipped to Jayapura on a ...

After she sat down, we walked peacefully up to her table with the Morning Star flag and asked if we could meet to discuss West Papua. Eventually she agreed to meet privately, but only with me and on condition that no photographs or flags were present. It was agreed and I was taken into a room, body ...

Song Papua February 21, 2018

For your search query Song Papua MP3 we have found 1000000 songs matching your query but showing only top 10 results only (Due to API limit restrictions we cannot show you more than 10 results). Now we recommend you to Download first result George Telek "west Papua" Papua Merdeka Remix ...

Last week, we reported on the inconclusive decision by the Melanesian Spearhead Group on West Papua's bid for full membership. Since then, Indonesia's declared victory in its campaign to block international recognition for the United Liberation Movement, and we've learned more about how they did ...

Culture Roundup: Feb 21-27 February 21, 2018

There will be a big fundraiser for West Papua at the Ewingsdale Hall on Saturday. Staring at 10 in the morning with yoga, then featuring the tranquil flute sounds of Lord Bhati, chi gong energy flow by Vitoria Borg-Oliver, guitar and vocals by Lucy Gallant, ecstatic free-flow dance by Anne O Hoy, the Band ...

Category:Pro West Papua February 21, 2018

Pages in category "Pro West Papua". “ Fijiball is a small island countryball in the Pacific. He is of enemy of Australiaball. He is... Fijiball · “ Netherlandsball, aka. Dutchball, is a Western European countryball. His clay is bordered by... Netherlandsball · “ New Caledoniaball is a French dependency sui ...

Indonesia says the US has undertaken to lift the remaining restrictions on engagement with Indonesia's Kopassus special forces, ending a 19-year ban on the unit linked to civilian killings and human rights abuses in West Papua, Aceh and East Timor. Former Indonesian military commander Moeldoko, ...

Tree house Korowai tribe Tree houses Indonesia and West papua February 21, 2018

But it's not just Abandoned Korowai treehouse, West Papua, Indonesia. Head of a Kombai clan stands before his tree KOROWAI TREE TRIBE. For this reason they retreat to the safety of their tree houses before sunset and remain there until first light. A challenging 2016 trekking expedition into the ...

1) ULMWP Can Pass Muster: Foreign Minister February 21, 2018

In a brief message yesterday, Vanuatu Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu responded to an Indonesian spokesman's claims by Indonesia's First Secretary for Political Affairs in Australia that West Papua's 'game is up'. Radio New Zealand reported earlier this week that Mr Sade Bimantara said that the ...

Indonesia: Overcoming challenges in developing February 21, 2018

Otniel Tamindael Antara 21 Feb 18; Jakarta (ANTARA News) - In the development of tourism sector in the "Bay of Paradise," better known as the Cendrawasih Bay National Park area that stretches in the border of Papua and West Papua provinces, the local government is faced with many challenges.

The Indonesian Statistics Agency reported last year that with 22 percent of the population living below the poverty line, East Nusa Tenggara ranks as the third poorest among Indonesia's 34 provinces after Papua and West Papua. And in a desperate bid to escape the poverty trap many parents are ...

West Kalimantan provinces recorded the highest number at 23 hotspots, followed by West Java 14, Central Kalimantan, 12, Riau 9, Riau Islands and Papua each had 4, Central Java 3, West Papua, East Java and Maluku each had 2, and Banka-Belitung Islands, North Maluku and South Sumatera each ...

Overcoming challenges in developing "Bay of Paradise" February 21, 2018

A diver recorded the activities of Whale Shark fish (Whale Shark) in Kwatisore, Cendrawasih Bay National Park, West Papua. ... sector in the "Bay of Paradise," better known as the Cendrawasih Bay National Park area that stretches in the border of Papua and West Papua provinces, the local government ...

The Melanesian Spearhead Group Leaders Meeting was held in Port Moresby last week, with a membership application from the United Liberation Movement for West Papua again under consideration. In The Diplomat, Grant Wyeth looks at how the MSG's members are sharply divided on the issue of ...

West Papua Liberation Army in fresh campaign against Indonesia February 21, 2018